The Reckoning (The O'Neils Book 6) by Kathryn Shay

Author:Kathryn Shay [Shay, Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: The O'Neils Book 6
Publisher: Ocean View Books
Published: 2019-12-02T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 10

* * *

Jamie let the warm middle-of-the-month April breeze soothe her while she sat on the bench at the park at ten in the morning, keeping an eye on Ben in the sandbox.

Next to her, Kinley asked, “He’s off school for a whole week?”

“Uh-huh. It’s called vacation, something I’m not sure you know anything about.”

“Very funny. I’ve been on vacations.”

“The Caribbean doesn’t count in my neck of the woods.”

“Honey, the Caribbean always counts. I’ll take you and Ben there some day.”

She smiled at the talk of a future she wasn’t sure they had. She was taking one day at a time.

Suddenly, Ben bolted up and raced toward them. “Come play with me in the sandbox.”

“That’s why I wore…”

“Not you, Mom,” Ben said cutting Jamie off. “Him.”

Without hesitation, Kinley stood. “I’m game.” He kicked off expensive-looking loafers. Ben took his hand and they proceeded to the sandbox. Kinley plopped down on his butt, unfazed by his designer jeans getting dirtied with sand. They began to build a castle.

A woman nearby came closer. “You’re so lucky your husband takes time off to be with his boy on their school vacation.”

“Um…”

“Mine said he can’t miss work to go the park.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, me too.” She caught sight of something over Jamie’s shoulder. “Uh-oh, Petey’s on the slide and he’s scared. Gotta go.”

The woman headed to the slide. And Jamie took a minute to daydream that Kinley was her husband and they were living happily with Ben—and maybe a baby on the way.

She was drawn out of the fantasy when Ben rushed to her. “Kinley’s gonna push me on the swings. You come, too.”

Standing, she walked to the swings with them. Kinley pushed Ben gently enough, but not too easy that Ben wouldn’t enjoy the ride. “So, having an okay day?” she asked.

“The best. I can’t remember the last time I went to a public park.”

Next up was the slide, after which, Ben said, “I’m hungry.”

“Okay.” Kinley grinned. “Where to?”

“McDonald’s!” Ben exclaimed.

Jamie put in, “There’s one close to here. About five blocks. We usually take the bus.”

“I can call Michael.”

“Don’t you dare. What, are you afraid of the bus?”

“Moira and I took them all the time when we were young.”

“Do you miss her?” she asked as they walked to the curb to wait for public transportation.

“Every day of my life.”

She squeezed his hand.

When the bus showed up, he climbed up the three steps, looking pained. Ben said, “I wanna sit with Kinley.”

“Okay by me.” They took seats on the somewhat rickety vehicle and Jamie wondered what he was thinking.

Kinley was thinking that…hell, he winced as they hit a bump and landed hard. He had to catch Ben when they turned a corner too fast. And by the time the bus stopped in front of MacDonald’s, he felt a bit sick to his stomach. Jamie laughed at him when they stood to get off. “You’re a little green.”

“As I said, I’m unaccustomed to riding a public transportation.”

They ate hamburgers, French fries and milkshakes. Kinley couldn’t remember the last time he had fast food.

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